Senator Heidi Heitkamp United States Senator for North Dakota

Press Releases

May 09 2014

Heitkamp Leads Training in Fargo on Identifying & Reporting Human Trafficking

Senator Continues Efforts to Combat Issue which is Unfortunately Growing in North Dakota

FARGO, N.D. – Continuing her efforts since last fall to combat human trafficking, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today joined officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to train Fargo area residents on identifying and reporting potential occurrences of human trafficking.

Representatives from local businesses and social workers, school personnel and leaders of advocacy organizations joined Heitkamp and DHS officials to learn how they can assist with identifying and reporting instances of human trafficking in their various fields. This ‘if you see something, say something’ training builds off of the work local law enforcement is doing to address the growing problem of human trafficking in North Dakota.

“In order to diminish the threat of human trafficking, we need a very strategic, multi-faceted and long-term strategy fully integrated into our communities,” said Heitkamp. “We need to raise awareness about human trafficking, as I’ve worked to do in the Senate – through hearings, strong legislation, and meetings with other advocates locally and globally. Today’s training is another important step to help spread the word about this frightening, yet growing problem in our state, and will help us further develop a strategy to combat it. We can’t stop human trafficking overnight - but by bringing to light the shocking realities so many victims face, and training folks in the community on what to look for and how to report what they see, we can continue to make incremental and crucial steps toward making sure North Dakotans, and women and children around the world, are safe.”

Since last fall, Heitkamp has emerged as a leader in Congress to combat human trafficking. In September 2013, she led a Senate hearing where she heard firsthand what the federal, state, and local levels of government were doing to combat human trafficking and how to begin to address it as a law enforcement issue. In November 2013, Heitkamp helped introduce legislation that will give prosecutors the tools they need to tackle domestic sex trafficking, while also protecting minors who are involved by making sure they receive the support they need and are treated as victims, not criminals. In January, Heitkamp and Klobuchar brought together law enforcement and social service advocates in Fargo to talk about their legislation and the importance of addressing human trafficking in North Dakota.

Heitkamp has worked closely with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cindy McCain – a global leader in the fight against human trafficking – to bring light to the issue across the country and around the world. Heitkamp, Klobuchar and McCain visited Mexico where they met with local officials and advocates to learn about the actions Mexico is taking to stop human trafficking and what help they could provide as the U.S. looks to develop an institutional resistance to trafficking. Following the trip to Mexico, Cindy McCain invited Senator Heitkamp to participate in the McCain Institute’s annual Sedona Forum, which brings together world leaders to talk about global issues, to discuss human trafficking and examine ways to combat the problem.

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Contact Senator Heitkamp's press office at press@heitkamp.senate.gov